Watch: Cross border TB pilot launched at Donegal farm

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon and Minister for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern Ireland, Andrew Muir today (Thursday, February 19) launched a pilot cooperation project to tackle bovine tuberculosis (TB) on a regional basis.

It is part of the Shared Island Initiative and was launched on the farm of William Clegg near Newtown, Co. Donegal.

The chief veterinary officers (CVO) for both the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), June Fanning and Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) were also present to launch the pilot.

The project will see both departments collaborate in a pilot area in the north-east of Donegal and the north-west of Northern Ireland on measures that seek to provide a proof of concept of a regional approach to TB eradication.

The ultimate aim is a reduction in disease levels, reactor numbers and exchequer spending on TB over time in both jurisdictions.

Agriland spoke to both ministers about the project and to farmer William Clegg in the video below

Welcoming the announcement, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: “I am delighted to see this cross-border cooperation programme on tackling bovine TB, as part of the Shared Island Initiative, get underway.

“Across the island, the challenges and opportunities we face in many sectors are both comparable and inter-connected, including in agriculture.

“I look forward to seeing what positive impacts this project will have in supporting farmers across the selected region to prevent and eradicate this disease.”

Speaking at today’s launch, Minister Heydon said: “As a single epidemiological area, it makes sense for us to tackle disease control and eradication together and, with the support provided through the Shared Island Fund, I look forward to seeing positive outcomes from this pilot project.”

Also speaking at today’s launch, Minister Muir added: “Today marks a significant milestone in our collaborative efforts to combat bovine TB across this island.

“The launch of this research proof-of-concept project epitomises our commitment to finding innovative solutions and advancing TB control and eradication.

“Farmers are at the heart of this initiative, and their insights and experiences are invaluable in shaping future policies and strategies.”

Through the Shared Island Fund, the Government of Ireland will contribute €6.5 million towards the total projected costs (€11.7 million) over the five-year period of the pilot project, with the remaining costs being funded by DAFM and DAERA, as applicable.

Following public engagement with stakeholders in late 2025, the project will continue its scoping exercise for research strands over the coming months.

The holistic package of measures, which seeks to address sources of disease transmission and persistence, will be rolled out over a five-year period in order to maximise its impact on disease eradication.

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